PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1928, 25 August 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wellington, August 24. In consequence of the fact that at 12 30, , when the House waa to hare met for basi [ ness to day. there was a conference of managers between the two Houses on the , Mining Bill also sitting, and by the Standing Orders the sitting of the House , and the conference cannot take place at the same time, the Premier miggested that the House shou'd adjoun till two o'clock which course was agreed to. Mr Hntcbisou endeavored to bring about a discussion on the case of Mokau Joneß by asking the Premier aB to what action the Government intended to take oi the mattr now that the report was presented by the Speaker. Sir H. Atkinson, however, stated that Ministers had not yet had tim? to digest the report aid the evidence, but it appeared that no legislation was necessary. m reference to the District Railways Bill over which there has been such a fi^ht it is stated that very strong opposition will be offered to the measure m the Council and possibly it may go by the board af;er all. Being a Bill m which the question of money Ib involved tbe B 11 cannot be amended, bat influences are brought to bear m the direction of having it thrown out. Several memb9rs including Mr W. P. Reeves and other southern representatives are going home by boat to-day, but there is a feeling that the Session will not con olude for another week. The Honee was eventually treated to Mr Verrall's State Bank sobeme last evening. For an hour he succeeded m providing an excellent fund of amusement He intimated that he bad tied bis arguments with red tape, and ihat those people who called themselves political sconomisls were econo-moneymalcers. He remarked that ha had reoantly chal - lenged all the world and his wife on the question, but it would appear from the drift of his arguments subsequently that neithermale nor female had responded. He added present'y that he had been songratulated on the accident whioh had kept Mr Saunders out (lcughter). Replying to the aspersions which had been cast upon him by one Twomey he said i'womey wasn't first man atall (Laughter and cheers ) After reading some notes on the State Bank Question ha referred to Sir Robert Stout as a benighted democrat, and to Sir Julius Vogoi as the representative of the London World of Finance. He was only a farmer and he cirae here amongst lawyers, bankers and their tipped advoca'es. Newspapers too were against him c> Now," he announced a little later, " I'm going to prove that England haß'nt got money to lend." (Cheers.) He proceeded to go into figures at length and waa understood to be proving it. When he reached the etage of quoting from Mill members called •' time." Vety noon after this he thanked title House for the hearing he had had and sat down amidst cheers. The debate on the Public Works Statement commenced when Mr Verrall had concluded his oration, but it was a very dreary affair. Most of the. speeches were criticisms of the Ministerial po'ioy. At about one o'clock it waa found that the debate was likely to continue over another sitting and it was adjourned till to day, Later In consequence of the statement by the Premier last night that the Railway Commissioners will be appointed almost immediately various rumors are current as to the personel of the Board. Ministers refuse to give any Information on the subj ot, bnt rumor couples with the position most prominently the names of Messrs Maxwell, E. Richardson (m whose case a special Validating Bill would htve to be passed) and Longhrey, City Surveyor, of the Corporation of Wellington (whose brother ia Mr Loughrey,tho member for Llawood) and Id whose Interests, it Is said, an aotive canvass is being made. In the case of Mr Loughrey I understand that a deputation has already waited upon Ministers on tbe subject, bnt the result has not transpired. It Is stated that a deliberate stonewall la being planned by Taiwhanga over the Native Bills when they come down from the Counoll with the amendments which are expeoted to be made m them. The Irrepressible Sydney, It Is said, will have the assistance agafn of Mr R. Peeves and one or two other members and if this Is the case the end of session Is very Indefinite after all. The Native Affairs Committee of the Legislative Council have dealt very severely with the Native Policy Bills of Government, whioh were reported to-day. Their amendments are so extensive as to necessitate the reprinting of the measures, and it would seem likely that when the Bills finally pass both Houses very little of the original drafts will remain. The Counoll determined to take the Bills la Committee to-night; The Supplementary Estimates were distributed this evening, and they show that an additional sum of £107,144, chargeable to the Consolidated Fand, and £70,250 to the Public Works Funds Is to be asked for. Amongst the most Important Itemß to be asked for are £1500 for Melbourne Exhibition (additional), debentures for stamp doty paid In London for £400,000, £1000 for suppression of smuggling and Illicit dlstlllatkn, £3000 for putting In new boilers and repairs to Hlnemoa, £4000 for school buildings, £5130 for the completion of the South Canterbury rabbit proof f enoe, £1000 for the destruction of scabby sheep (additional), £500 eaoh special representation of mining exhibits at both Melbourne and Paris, £220 gold passes for both members of the Legislature, £18,000 restoration of the general postoffice, £125 expenses incurred on behalf of the French eeoapees, Gosparlnl and Oury, £19,000 rates on Grown lands, £10,000 rates on Native lands. Wellington, August 35. A valaablejand (n'ecestlng pupnr on the Dairy Industry has been received by tbe Government from the Agent-General, Sir Dillon Bell gives voluminous information on the subjeot, and quotes the opinion of Professor Long, one of the highest authorities, on the subject, that "If only New Zealand colonists knew how, they could compete In English markets against the world." Sir Dillon Bell, therefore, sends copious Information and advice on this head. Late sittings were the order of the day m both Houses yesterday, the Oounoll being engaged m Committee on the Native Bills till 2 o'clock, while tbe House s»t till half-past seven this mornlngoonslderlng the Supplementary, and Public Works Estimates, which were rushed through m toto, without any alteration. In consequence tbe House will not resume till Monday at 2,30, bat the Lords intend to continue their deliberations In Committee this afternoon. Great Indignation Is exI pressed by the Opposition at the indecent manner In which the Estimates were pushed through this morning m the face , of a bare quorum, and the matter will „ probably be oast up at the Government i again befoit tbe iceiloo cioieo,